As Global Executive Solutions Group (GESG) marks its 20th anniversary this year, the firm reflects on the philosophy and framework that have shaped its role as a trusted partner behind many of the country’s most influential leaders. From Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz’s Ann Margaret Santiago and Maya Philippines’ Carla “Charee” Lanza to Mars Veterinary Health’s Joy Pinaroc and Manila Water’s Atty. J.V. Emmanuel “Jocot” de Dios, GESG’s impact is woven into the leadership journeys of executives who have helped transform Philippine industries.
Operating under the anniversary theme “Two Decades of Leadership, Trust, and Executive Excellence,” GESG President and CEO Ray Canilao highlights the five-point methodology that has guided the firm’s success. Each executive search evaluates culture fit, career path, leadership capability, financial stability, and work-life balance—ensuring that every placement aligns both with organizational strategy and human aspirations.
“We don’t just look at qualifications,” Canilao shared. “We look at what drives a person, how they lead, and how they will fit into the company’s culture. That’s how we ensure the impact of our work lasts long after the hire is made.”
Over the years, GESG has applied this approach across diverse contexts: helping startups professionalize leadership teams, placing returning Filipino executives in transformative roles, and supporting conglomerates in building management pipelines that sustain long-term growth.
Clients consistently point to GESG’s depth, rigor, and relationship-driven approach as its differentiator.
Lanza recalls how, even as a new hiring manager in the 90s, GESG stood apart: “They weren’t giving sales pitches. They were consultative. They never just asked what—they asked why. They wanted to understand the context so they could provide the right candidate.”
Santiago echoes this, noting how GESG’s strength lies in both its business insight and its people-first mindset. “They’re transparent, consultative, and values-driven. They’re more concerned about the wellbeing of the candidate and the partnership than simply closing a deal.”
For placed executives, the experience is equally defining. Atty. De Dios, then an expat in Australia, returned to the Philippines after GESG connected him with a leadership opportunity that aligned with his aspirations. “They were collaborative and focused on where I wanted my career to go,” he shared.
Pinaroc, approached while working overseas, described her GESG journey as both objective and personal. “They helped me see not just what I could bring, but whether the opportunity was truly right for me. They guided me throughout.”
At its core, GESG’s philosophy rests on a simple belief: leadership recruitment is not just about filling roles. It is about enabling progress—understanding both the people who lead and the organizations they shape. For two decades, GESG has served as a strategic ally to CEOs and HR leaders, partnering with conglomerates, multinationals, and emerging enterprises to identify leaders who thrive both on paper and in culture.
“For us, success isn’t measured by how many placements we’ve made,” Canilao said. “It’s about the leaders who stay, grow, and make an impact. That is what two decades of trust looks like—and what we intend to continue building.”
GESG will celebrate its 20th anniversary on November 18, 2025, bringing together long-time clients, partners, and placed executives to honor two decades of shared success and reaffirm its mission to place leaders who build enduring organizations.
